Request

Please can you provide me with:

1. The number of enquiries relating to bereavement handled by NHS pensions, by month for the last two years.
2. The number of deaths of members entitled to NHS pensions by month for the last two years.
3. The number of Spouse pensions commenced by month for the last two years.
4. The average time by month for the last two years it has taken NHS pensions to commence paying a spouse’s pension following the death of a member.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 31 August 2025

You clarified your response on 16 September 2025 with.
Please see my answers below:

• Q1: Could you please confirm what is meant by “enquiries” in this context?

The number of incoming phone calls or incoming written correspondence handled by the bereavement team over the period.

• Q2: Regarding the term “members entitled to NHS Pensions,” does this refer specifically to individuals who are currently receiving a pension, those with deferred benefits, or does it also include members covered under death in service provisions?

Please include all three definitions as set out (as a sum, i do not need a breakdown)

• Q3: Could you clarify whether the information requested pertains solely to spouses, or should it also include scheme partners, civil partners, and other adult dependants eligible for pensions?

Please include all four definitions you set out (as a sum, i do not need a breakdown)

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

Our response

I can confirm that the NHSBSA holds the information you have requested and a copy of the information and notes explaining it is attached.

Please read the below notes to ensure correct understanding of the data.

Question 1 includes emails, written correspondence and calls which have been referred to NHS Pensions’ Bereavements Team. Calls handled without referral are not included, as they are not handled by NHS Pensions’ Bereavements Team.

Question 2 reflects all members who died between 01/09/2023 and 31/08/2025. This includes any dependants who died. If a death has been notified, but not yet been processed, they will not currently be showing as deceased on our records and subsequently will not be included in the above data. This includes death in service, death on deferment and death on pension.

Question 4

Column E in the attached Excel spreadsheet shows the average time in calendar days between the original member’s date of death, and the date the adult dependant pension was implemented – i.e. the date the first payment was issued. This figure is separate and distinct from the key performance indicator (KPI) that we report against as part of our official current processing times for NHS Pensions. https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/current-processing-times-nhs-pensions This is because our KPI represents the average time in calendar days between the date we receive all of the information and documentation we require in order to process a bereavement payment, and the date the adult dependant pension was implemented. Information needed to verify the eligibility to make the bereavement payment includes requests for birth certificates and marriage certificates. This can often lead to an extension of the time taken to pay the benefits until receipt of this information

Under this KPI, we aim to pay bereavement benefits within 35 calendar days from the date we received all information required to process a payment. In September 2025, bereavement benefits were paid on average within 22 calendar days.

Not every death results in an adult dependant pension being implemented; if there is no adult dependant pension the death is not factored into this average.

Publishing this response

Please note that this information will be published on our Freedom of Information disclosure log at:

https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/foi-03137

Your personal details will be removed from the published response.

Data Queries

Please contact foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk ensuring you quote the above reference if you have any specific questions regarding this response; or, if you feel you may be misunderstanding or misinterpreting the information; or, if you plan on publishing the data.

Reusing the data and copyright

If you plan on producing a press or broadcast story based upon the data please contact communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.

The information supplied to you continues to be protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and is subject to NHSBSA copyright. This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence detailed at:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Should you wish to re-use the information you must include the following statement: “NHSBSA Copyright 2025”. Failure to do so is a breach of the terms of the licence.

Information you receive which is not subject to NHSBSA Copyright continues to be protected by the copyright of the person, or organisation, from which the information originated. Please obtain their permission before reproducing any third party (non NHSBSA Copyright) information.